Finland Times

The parliament building is going to be made totally smoking free zone once its renovation work is completed in few years time.

The smoking area is being removed and cut short gradually as the renovation progresses. There is still some smoking areas left inside the parliamentary building.

Administrator Pertti Rauhio said the move to dismantle smoking areas in parliament is part of the target of enacting a law that the last cigarette would be smoked in 2040.

Last time smoking was limited in 2011 spring when representative Ben Zyskowicz (kok…coalition) worked shortly as chair. He proposed that the government would become smoking-free but didn't get enough support. They decided to decrease the smoking areas. Zyscowicz rejoices for the progress of building smoking-free government.

“The government has to be a role model in good things. The difference is huge compared to 1970s when I came to the government, where there was smoking in main balcony, not to talk about cafeteria,” said Zyscowicz.

The renovation has progressed house by house for several years now. The sittings of parliament is moving to neigbouring Sibelius-Academys place in 2015. The target for the renovation to complete is 2017.